Furnas County
NE · Pop. 4,605 · Rural County
Furnas County, Nebraska covers 719 square miles with a population of 4,605 and a density of 6.4 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on corn, soybeans, wheat. A median home price of $92,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.45% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 151-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.9°F and average winter lows of 13.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 24.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Inc is 15.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 91.6% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $92,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 91.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- A strong agricultural economy built on corn, soybeans, wheat means local markets, equipment, and know-how are in place.
- At 6.4 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.7% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 151-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.45% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Average winter lows of 13.4°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Furnas County, NE is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 64/100
- Median home price
- $92k
- Property tax
- 1.45%
- Growing season
- 151 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 24.3"
- Broadband
- 91.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Inc, 15.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Furnas County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Furnas County?
- Furnas County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 151-day growing season, average summer highs of 88.9°F, and average winter lows of 13.4°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $92,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.45%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 91.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Inc is 15.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Nebraska Resources
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LandWatch
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More counties in Nebraska
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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